If the Rochester Americans do indeed barge their way into the Calder Cup playoffs, you can bet the teams sitting at the top of the American Hockey League's Western Conference won't want to draw them in the first round.

The Amerks can roll out four lines that feature a variety of scoring, skating, smarts and bowl-you-over abrasiveness.

This is what coach Chadd Cassidy and assistants Chris Taylor, John Wroblewski and Randy Cunneyworth used for line combinations in practice today. It's also what they plan to use against the Toronto Marlies in Friday's 7:05 p.m. home game.

Luke Adam-Phil Varone-Nick Deslauriers

Dan Catenacci-Kevin Porter-Joel Armia

Johan Larsson-Mikhail Grigorenko-Mike Zigomanis

Colton Gillies-Tim Schaller-Brayden Irwin

Kevin Sundher-Freddy Roy-Alex Hutchings

(Extras that came out for practice after the main group: Justin Kea, Johnny McGuire).

I think it's safe to assume that no opposing defenseman is going to want to get run over by Deslauriers, only to find himself pasted up against the glass by Gillies a shift or two later.

That's a pretty imposing 1-2 combination of speed and bulk. Deslauriers is 6-foot-1, 230 pounds. He skates like he's 6-1, 175. Gillies is 6-4, 208. Throw in the now-relentless Schaller at 6-2, 213 and any opponent in the playoffs will need a large supply of ice packs for its D-corps.

Newest Amerk Nick Deslauriers plans to be a big force on the forecheck during final six-game playoff push.
Kevin Oklobzija

Deslauriers practiced as an Amerk for the first time today. He was reassigned by the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. Obtained in the March 5 deal with the Los Angeles Kings for Brayden McNabb, Deslauriers has been with the Sabres ever since.

He fit right in with his new team this morning, however. He said he knows a few players from junior and Buffalo, and is anxious to help. He's well aware what power on the forecheck can do.

"I've been a defenseman," said Deslauriers, who converted to left wing this season, "and I know you don't want to get the puck and get hit every time.

"So it's probably an advantage for me to know that the D will be scared when I'm coming. That's what I'm going to try to bring for the next six games and try to push the team in the playoffs."

That's the catch, though: the Amerks aren't in the playoffs yet. They hold the eighth and final spot right now but could be bumped to ninth tonight if the Charlotte Checkers win at home against Grand Rapids.

Tonight is very much must-win for the Checkers. They will have only three games remaining. The Amerks have six left: three this weekend, then next Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

But despite a positive outlook, especially considering the talent now in the lineup up front, Cassidy speaks cautiously.

"The lineup we put out there tomorrow has zero wins," he said. "We need to stay true to our identity and do what we have to do."

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Defenseman Mark Pysyk was returned to the Amerks after a one-game recall to the Sabres.

Pysyk was on the ice for all four Amerks goal in their comeback win at Toronto on Saturday. He played 26 1/2 minutes that afternoon. "Those are (Ryan) Suter-like numbers," Cassidy said.